Role

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Composer

Birth

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1989 in Toulouse, France

 

Benjamin Attahir is a French composer who was born on September 9, 1989, in Toulouse, France. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Attahir started playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the guitar and the oud, a traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument. Attahir studied music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where he received a degree in composition. He also studied at the École Normale de Musique de Paris and the Schola Cantorum de Paris. During his studies, Attahir was awarded several prizes, including the Prix de la Fondation Francis et Mica Salabert and the Prix de la Fondation Simone et Cino Del Duca. Attahir's music is influenced by his multicultural background, with elements of Western classical music, Middle Eastern music, and North African music. He is known for his use of unconventional instruments, such as the oud and the qanun, a traditional Middle Eastern stringed instrument. Attahir's compositions have been performed by leading orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Orchestre National de France, the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Ensemble Intercontemporain. He has also collaborated with renowned soloists, such as pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet and cellist Gautier Capuçon. One of Attahir's most notable works is his opera, "Voyage en Pleine Terre," which premiered at the Opéra Comique in Paris in 2019. The opera tells the story of a young woman who embarks on a journey to discover her roots and identity. The music combines Western classical music with traditional Middle Eastern and North African music, creating a unique and captivating sound. Attahir's other notable works include "Al 'Asr," a piece for orchestra and oud, which was commissioned by the Orchestre National de France and premiered in 2017. The piece combines the sounds of the Western orchestra with the oud, creating a fusion of Western and Middle Eastern music. Another notable work is "Fragments d'un temps figé," a piece for string quartet and electronics, which was commissioned by the Quatuor Diotima and premiered in 2016. The piece explores the concept of time and memory, with the electronics creating a haunting and ethereal atmosphere. Attahir's music has been praised for its originality and its ability to bridge cultural divides. He is considered one of the most promising young composers of his generation and is expected to continue to make significant contributions to the world of classical music.

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